Monday, AUGUST 4, 2025|

Congratulations from state leaders poured in quickly Friday afternoon as Brian Nesvik was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Senior Wyoming U.S. Senator John Barrasso spoke highly of Nesvik on the floor of the upper chamber last week.

The Senate confirmed Nesvik on Friday as part of a Republican ploy to push dozens of Trump nominees across the finish line in early August.

The upper chamber voted 54-43 to approve the onetime head of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Democrats Jacky Rosen and Martin Heinrich, ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined Republicans in voting “yes.”

Nesvik cleared the Environment and Public Works Committee in April along party lines. At the time, ranking Democrat member Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island accused Nesvik of prioritizing fossil fuel and farm interests over wildlife.

People in the know had a different take of Nesvik. For instance, Mike Leahy, senior director of wildlife, hunting said Nesvik’s big game management experience will make the Casper native an exceptional value to the federal agency. Leahy also described Nesvik as a “strong proponent for conserving big game migration corridors.”

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon also welcomed the news of Nesvik’s senate confirmation.

In a statement, the Governor said, “I am thrilled to congratulate my friend Brian Nesvik, who, months after clearing committee, is now confirmed as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There simply has never been a more qualified Director for the agency. He brings decades of wildlife expertise, a collaborative approach to addressing complex issues, and exemplary leadership to the role. His confirmation is an asset to the Trump Administration, and he will serve as a strong advocate for western issues.”

Ducks Unlimited also applauded the decision. “We’re glad to see Brian Nesvik confirmed as the next director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam in a statement Friday afternoon.

Nesvik will bring decades of real-world, hands-on experience to the Trump Administration on wildlife issues rising through the ranks from a Wyoming game warden to head the state game and fish agency.

The U.S Fish and Wildlife agency is home to 8,000 employees with a federal budget of around $1.5 billion.

The post Former Game and Fish Director Confirmed as Director of US Fish and Wildlife Service first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.